Masterpieces of miniaturisation

The SMART-1 spacecraft spans 14 metres with its solar panels extended, but otherwise everything for propulsion, communications, housekeeping and instrumentation fits into a cube just 1 metre across.

Propulsion by an ion engine is not the only innovative technology on SMART-1. Its solar panels use an advanced type of gallium-arsenide solar cells in preference to the traditional silicon cells. And it is testing new communications and navigational techniques.

SMART-1 packed, ready for launch

Out of a total mass at launch of 370 kilograms, the payload available for a dozen technological and scientific investigations is 19 kilograms. Like other components of the spacecraft, the scientific instruments use state-of-the-art concepts and methods of miniaturization to save space and economise on mass. For example the X-ray telescope D-CIXS makes a cube just 15 centimetres wide and weighs less than 5 kilograms.

“ Building a spacecraft for ESA means fitting together many pieces coming from different countries. Luckily the cross-border teamwork is magnificent.”